The dates of the 2017 Scripps Spelling Bee are not yet specified but it will likely occur in May, 2017.

What is Scripps Spelling Bee?

The Scripps National Spelling Bee is a yearly spelling competition held near Washington, D.C. the week after Memorial Day weekend. This not-for-profit event is sponsored by the E.W. Scripps Company. The purpose of the event is to highlight the joy of language, encourage the development of proper English usage, and help students increase their vocabularies. Tens of thousands of U.S. students enroll in spelling programs to become better spellers and vie for a chance to compete at the national level.

The competition welcomes students from all over the United States and is also open to participants from other countries. International students have represented nations including Canada, Japan, Jamaica, Mexico, and New Zealand. All participants are regional spelling-bee winners aged 15 years or younger and in the 8th grade or lower. ESPN airs the spelling-bee, particularly the Championship Finals, for a national audience to enjoy.